“It is… true… that when I was young I heard the voice call to me.”
Skyre paused. “The voice?”
“It is said the trees call to their offspring, and those with the gift can hear it. But I never answered its asking.”
“Why?” whispered Skyre.
“I suppose I…” The druid wrung his hands. “Well, that was long ago. No use in dwelling.”
Skyre lowered next to him. “You were frightened.”
“No,” the druid said, furrowing his brow. “Not at all. I…”
Skyre had never seen him so bothered, and slowly realized why. Of all that had befell the druid since his name was spoken at Bráth Aghmuir, none of it was natural to his place in that world.
But to deny a thing that was…
“There is no shame in fearing a calling foisted upon you.”
“You should know better than anyone.” The druid glanced away.
It was alluring to see him squirm, and Skyre liked it. He wanted to watch him fall apart. And at the same time, thought it might break his heart.
“If the Naém frightens you, we’ll find a different path.”
“No,” said the druid, “the longer I stray into this dark, the more I think it must be me. If nothing else, I need to see for myself if there is any sense to my dreams.”
Skyre didn’t agree, but what could he fight him with? He wasn’t armed for that battle. So, he said, “Do you believe you can do this?”
“I must.”
“That isnae what I asked.”
“And if I had askedyou, what would you have said?”
“I never had a choice.”
The druid nodded, getting to his feet. “So, we are the same.”
Skyre watched him cross the dwell and lower onto his cot. “Then I will go with you. To ensure it.”
“Ensure it?” asked the druid.
“Your safe return.”
“To you, you mean.”
“That’s not…”
“Ididpromise.” The druid smiled, lying back against the pillow. “And I mean my words.”
The way the druid spoke was gentle, but it was scalding. Skyre considered him a bit longer. Then, silently, he reached up and removed his mantle. His bracers followed, and his bangles and boots.
He laid down in his bed, and over the dying embers and thinning smoke, he saw that pale gaze watching him.
Chapter forty-nine
The Doe
